Antiplatelet efficacy of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in Mediterranean patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic coronary syndromes: A crossover pharmacodynamic investigation.

Introduction: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have augmented platelet reactivity and diminished responsiveness to clopidogrel. Ticagrelor, a more potent P2Y12 inhibitor, is clinically superior to clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes, although its role in chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) is still the subject of debate. The aim of this investigation was to compare the pharmacodynamic effectiveness of ticagrelor and clopidogrel in Mediterranean DM patients with CCS. Materials and methods: In this prospective, randomized, crossover study, patients (n = 20) were randomized (1:1) to receive, on top of aspirin therapy, either ticagrelor 180 mg loading dose (LD)/90 mg maintenance dose (MD) b.i.d. or clopidogrel 600 mg LD/75 mg MD o.d. for 1 week in a crossover fashion with a 2-4 week washout period between regimens. Platelet function measurements were performed at 4 timepoints in each period (baseline, 2 h and 24 h after LD, and 1 week), including light transmission aggregometry (LTA, primary endpoint), VASP assay, Multiplate and VerifyNow P2Y12. Results: The ticagrelor LD achieved greater platelet inhibitory effect than clopidogrel LD, assessed with LTA (20 µM ADP as agonist), at 2 h (34.9 ± 3.9% vs. 63.6 ± 3.9%; p < 0.001) and 24 h (39.4 ± 3.5% vs. 52.3 ± 3.8%; p = 0.014). After 1 week of therapy, platelet reactivity was again significantly inferior with ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel (30.7 ± 3.0% vs. 54.3 ± 3.0%; p < 0.001). The results were consistent with the other platelet function assays employed. Conclusion: In Mediterranean patients with DM and CCS, ticagrelor provides a more potent antiplatelet effect than clopidogrel after the LD and during the maintenance phase of therapy. Clinical trial registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT02457130].

Consenso de expertos en la coordinación de la rehabilitación cardiaca entre cardiología y atención primaria. Proyecto RehaCtivAP / Expert consensus on the coordination of cardiac rehabilitation between cardiology departments and primary care. The RehaCtivAP project

En la continuidad asistencial del paciente que ha sufrido un síndrome coronario agudo es fundamental la rehabilitación cardiaca. Es más, centrar los cuidados en el paciente obliga a coordinar la atención cardiológica con atención primaria para mejorar la adherencia a los programas y una atención continua adecuada. Los programas de rehabilitación cardiaca comunitaria son indispensables para cumplir con los objetivos preventivos, pero somos conscientes de las dificultades de implementación y la necesidad de apoyo de gestores y especialistas. Debemos ayudar a concienciar sobre esta necesidad y apoyar a los especialistas que tengan iniciativas en la creación de este tipo de programas. Este documento trata de sintetizar los puntos básicos de la atención y la coordinación entre cardiología y atención primaria para la creación y el desarrollo de estos programas comunitarios

Cardiac rehabilitation is an essential part of continuing care for patients who have experienced an acute coronary syndrome. Moreover, a patient-centered approach requires the coordination of cardiology care and primary care in order to improve adherence to rehabilitation programs and to ensure appropriate continuing care. Community cardiac rehabilitation programs are essential for achieving the objectives of disease prevention. However, implementation may be difficult and program managers and specialists may need support. It is important to raise awareness of the need to support specialists who have taken the initiative in creating these programs. The aim of this paper was to summarize the basic elements of care and of the coordination between cardiology departments and primary care needed to create and develop community cardiac rehabilitation programs

Clinical correlates and prognostic impact of impaired iron storage versus impaired iron transport in an international cohort of 1821 patients with chronic heart failure.

AIMS: To define iron deficiency in chronic heart failure (CHF), both, ferritin<100µg/L (indicating reduced iron storage) and transferrin saturation (TSAT)<20% (indicating reduced iron transport) are used. The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and prognosis of either low ferritin or low TSAT in patients with CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated the clinical impact of impaired iron storage (IIS) and impaired iron transport (IIT) either alone or in combination compared to patients with normal iron status (NIS), in an international cohort of 1821 patients with CHF with a mean age of 66±13years and mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 35%±15. Isolated IIS was observed in 219 patients (12%), isolated IIT in 454 (25%) and coexistence of both conditions (IIS+IIT) were seen in 389 (21%). In adjusted models we found that patients with IIS+IIT and patients with isolated IIT had higher NT-proBNP levels (OR 2.2 [1.6-3.1] and OR 2.1 [1.5-2.9] respectively) and worse quality of life (OR 1.8 [1.2-2.7] and OR 1.7 [1.2-2.5] respectively) compared with isolated IIS. Multivariate Cox analyses showed that IIS+IIT and isolated IIT were independently associated with all-cause mortality (OR 1.41 [1.06-1.86] and OR 1.47 [1.13-1.92] respectively). Patients with isolated IIS did not differ from NIS patients in terms of severity or outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired iron transport alone or in combination with impaired iron storage is associated with worse clinical profile and increased risk of mortality in patients with CHF. Patients with isolated impaired iron storage may have a milder form of iron deficiency.

El déficit de hierro es un determinante de la capacidad funcional y de la calidad de vida a los 30 días tras un síndrome coronario agudo / Iron deficiency is a determinant of functional capacity and health-related quality of life 30 days after an acute coronary syndrome

Introducción y objetivos: El déficit de hierro (DH) es una condición frecuente en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica o insuficiencia cardiaca. Pero se desconoce su impacto en la capacidad funcional y la calidad de vida (CdV) tras un síndrome coronario agudo (SCA). Métodos: Se evaluó prospectivamente el impacto del DH en la capacidad funcional y la CdV de 244 pacientes 30 días después de haber sufrido un SCA. La CdV se evaluó mediante el test EuroQol-5 dimensiones, la escala visual analógica y el Heart-QoL. La capacidad funcional se midió mediante ergometría en cinta sin fin o con la prueba de los 6 min de marcha. Se evaluó el impacto del DH en la morbimortalidad cardiovascular. Resultados: Se documentó DH en el 46% de los pacientes. Estos pacientes realizaban ejercicio menos tiempo (366 ± 162 frente a 462 ± 155 s; p < 0,001), presentaban peores tasas metabólicas de consumo (7,9 ± 2,9 frente a 9,3 ± 2,6 equivalentes metabólicos; p = 0,003) y peor CdV, con puntuaciones más bajas en el EuroQol-5 dimensiones (0,76 ± 0,25 frente a 0,84 ± 0,16), la escala visual analógica (66 ± 16 frente a 72 ± 17) y el Heart-QoL (1,9 ± 0,6 frente a 2,2 ± 0,6) (todas, p < 0,05). El DH fue un predictor independiente de peor capacidad funcional (OR = 2,9; IC95%, 1,1-7,6; p = 0,023) y peor CdV (OR = 1,9; IC95%, 1,1-3,3; p < 0,001). No se observó efecto en la morbimortalidad cardiovascular. Conclusiones: El DH implica peor capacidad funcional y peor calidad de vida a medio plazo tras un SCA (AU)

Background and objectives: Iron deficiency (ID) is a prevalent condition in patients with ischemic heart disease and heart failure. Little is known about the impact of ID on exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL) in the recovery phase after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: Iron status and its impact on exercise capacity and QoL were prospectively evaluated in 244 patients 30 days after the ACS. QoL was assessed by the standard EuroQoL-5 dimensions, EuroQoL visual analogue scale, and Heart-QoL questionnaires. Exercise capacity was analyzed by treadmill/6-minute walk tests. The effect of ID on cardiovascular mortality and readmission rate was also investigated. Results: A total of 46% of the patients had ID. These patients had lower exercise times (366 ± 162 vs 462 ± 155 seconds; P < .001), metabolic consumption rates (7.9 ± 2.9 vs 9.3 ± 2.6 METS; P = .003), and EuroQoL-5 dimensions (0.76 ± 0.25 vs 0.84 ± 0.16), visual analogue scale (66 ± 16 vs 72 ± 17), and Heart-QoL (1.9 ± 0.6 vs 2.2 ± 0.6) scores (P < .05). ID independently predicted lower exercise times (OR, 2.9; 95%CI, 1.1-7.6; P = .023) and worse QoL (OR, 1.9; 95%CI, 1.1-3.3; P < .001) but had no effect on cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. Conclusions: ID, a prevalent condition in ACS patients, results in a poorer mid-term functional recovery, as measured by exercise capacity and QoL (AU)

Secondary prevention strategies after an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the AMI code era: beyond myocardial mechanical reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: The AMI code is a regional network enhancing a rapid and widespread access to reperfusion therapy (giving priority to primary angioplasty) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to assess the long-term control of conventional cardiovascular risk factors after a STEMI among patients included in the AMI code registry. DESIGN AND METHODS: Four hundred and fifty-four patients were prospectively included between June-2009 and April-2013. Clinical characteristics were collected at baseline. The long-term control of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular morbidity/mortality was assessed among the 6-months survivors. RESULTS: A total of 423 patients overcame the first 6 months after the STEMI episode, of whom 370 (87%) underwent reperfusion therapy (363, 98% of them, with primary angioplasty). At 1-year follow-up, only 263 (62%) had adequate blood pressure control, 123 (29%) had LDL-cholesterol within targeted levels, 126/210 (60%) smokers had withdrawn from their habit and 40/112 (36%) diabetic patients had adequate glycosylated hemoglobin levels. During a median follow-up of 20 (11-30) months, cumulative mortality of 6 month-survivors was 6.1%, with 9.9% of hospital cardiovascular readmissions. The lack of assessment of LDL and HDL-cholesterol were significantly associated with higher mortality and cardiovascular readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas implementation of the AMI code resulted in a widespread access to rapid reperfusion therapy, its long-term therapeutic benefit may be partially counterbalanced by a manifestly suboptimal control of cardiovascular risk factors. Further efforts should be devoted to secondary prevention strategies after STEMI.

Iron Deficiency Is a Determinant of Functional Capacity and Health-related Quality of Life 30 Days After an Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Iron deficiency (ID) is a prevalent condition in patients with ischemic heart disease and heart failure. Little is known about the impact of ID on exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL) in the recovery phase after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Iron status and its impact on exercise capacity and QoL were prospectively evaluated in 244 patients 30 days after the ACS. QoL was assessed by the standard EuroQoL-5 dimensions, EuroQoL visual analogue scale, and Heart-QoL questionnaires. Exercise capacity was analyzed by treadmill/6-minute walk tests. The effect of ID on cardiovascular mortality and readmission rate was also investigated. RESULTS: A total of 46% of the patients had ID. These patients had lower exercise times (366±162 vs 462±155seconds; P<.001), metabolic consumption rates (7.9±2.9 vs 9.3±2.6 METS; P=.003), and EuroQoL-5 dimensions (0.76±0.25 vs 0.84±0.16), visual analogue scale (66±16 vs 72±17), and Heart-QoL (1.9±0.6 vs 2.2±0.6) scores (P<.05). ID independently predicted lower exercise times (OR, 2.9; 95%CI, 1.1-7.6; P=.023) and worse QoL (OR, 1.9; 95%CI, 1.1-3.3; P<.001) but had no effect on cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: ID, a prevalent condition in ACS patients, results in a poorer mid-term functional recovery, as measured by exercise capacity and QoL.

Déficit de hierro en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo: prevalencia y factores predisponentes / Iron deficiency in patients with acute coronary syndrome: Prevalence and predisposing factors

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Limitaciones de la prueba de marcha de 6 minutos como instrumento de medida en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica. Respuesta / The limitations of the 6-minute walk test as a measurement tool in chronic heart failure patients. Response

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Estado del hierro en la insuficiencia cardiaca crónica: impacto en síntomas, clase funcional y capacidad de ejercicio submáxima / Iron status in chronic heart failure: impact on symptoms, functional class and submaximal exercise capacity

Introducción y objetivos: Evaluar el efecto del déficit de hierro y la anemia en la capacidad de esfuerzo submáxima de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal unicéntrico en un grupo de pacientes estables con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica. En el momento de incluirlos en el estudio, los pacientes aportaron información basal y realizaron una prueba de marcha de 6 minutos para evaluar la capacidad de ejercicio submáxima y los síntomas desencadenados por el esfuerzo. Al mismo tiempo, se obtuvieron muestras de sangre para la evaluación serológica. El déficit de hierro se definió como un valor de ferritina < 100 ng/ml o una saturación de transferrina < 20% cuando la ferritina era < 800 ng/ml. Se efectuaron también determinaciones de otros marcadores del estado del hierro. Resultados: Se consideró aptos para la inclusión en el estudio a 538 pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. La media de edad era 71 años y el 33% se encontraba en las clases III/IV de la New York Heart Association. La distancia media recorrida en la prueba de marcha de 6 minutos por los pacientes con alteración del estado del hierro fue 285 ± 101 m, en comparación con los 322 ± 113 m del otro grupo (p = 0,002). Los síntomas durante la prueba fueron más frecuentes en los pacientes con déficit de hierro (el 35 frente al 27%; p = 0,028) y el síntoma registrado con más frecuencia fue la fatiga. Los análisis de regresión logística multivariables mostraron que el aumento de la concentración de receptor de transferrina soluble, que indica un estado anormal del hierro, se asociaba de manera independiente con una clase avanzada de la New York Heart Association (p < 0,05). En el análisis multivariable realizado empleando modelos aditivos generalizados, el receptor de transferrina soluble y el índice de ferritina, biomarcadores que miden el estado del hierro, mostraron una asociación lineal, significativa e independiente con la capacidad de ejercicio submáxima (p = 0,03 en ambos casos). En cambio, en el análisis multivariable los valores de hemoglobina no mostraron una asociación significativa con la distancia recorrida en la prueba de marcha de 6 minutos. Conclusiones: En los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica, el déficit de hierro, pero no así la anemia, se asoció con deterioro de la capacidad de ejercicio submáxima y limitación funcional sintomática (AU)

Introduction and objectives: To evaluate the effect of iron deficiency and anemia on submaximal exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: We undertook a single-center cross-sectional study in a group of stable patients with chronic heart failure. At recruitment, patients provided baseline information and completed a 6-minute walk test to evaluate submaximal exercise capacity and exercise-induced symptoms. At the same time, blood samples were taken for serological evaluation. Iron deficiency was defined as ferritin < 100 ng/mL or transferrin saturation < 20% when ferritin is < 800 ng/mL. Additional markers of iron status were also measured. Results: A total of 538 heart failure patients were eligible for inclusion, with an average age of 71 years and 33% were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. The mean distance walked in the test was 285 ± 101 meters among those with impaired iron status, vs 322 ± 113 meters (P = .002). Symptoms during the test were more frequent in iron deficiency patients (35% vs 27%; P = .028) and the most common symptom reported was fatigue. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that increased levels of soluble transferrin receptor indicating abnormal iron status were independently associated with advanced New York Heart Association class (P < .05). Multivariable analysis using generalized additive models, soluble transferrin receptor and ferritin index, both biomarkers measuring iron status, showed a significant, independent and linear association with submaximal exercise capacity (P = .03 for both). In contrast, hemoglobin levels were not significantly associated with 6-minute walk test distance in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions: In patients with chronic heart failure, iron deficiency but not anemia was associated with impaired submaximal exercise capacity and symptomatic functional limitation (AU)

Iron Status in Chronic Heart Failure: Impact on Symptoms, Functional Class and Submaximal Exercise Capacity.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of iron deficiency and anemia on submaximal exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: We undertook a single-center cross-sectional study in a group of stable patients with chronic heart failure. At recruitment, patients provided baseline information and completed a 6-minute walk test to evaluate submaximal exercise capacity and exercise-induced symptoms. At the same time, blood samples were taken for serological evaluation. Iron deficiency was defined as ferritin < 100 ng/mL or transferrin saturation < 20% when ferritin is < 800 ng/mL. Additional markers of iron status were also measured. RESULTS: A total of 538 heart failure patients were eligible for inclusion, with an average age of 71 years and 33% were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. The mean distance walked in the test was 285 ± 101 meters among those with impaired iron status, vs 322 ± 113 meters (P=.002). Symptoms during the test were more frequent in iron deficiency patients (35% vs 27%; P=.028) and the most common symptom reported was fatigue. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that increased levels of soluble transferrin receptor indicating abnormal iron status were independently associated with advanced New York Heart Association class (P < .05). Multivariable analysis using generalized additive models, soluble transferrin receptor and ferritin index, both biomarkers measuring iron status, showed a significant, independent and linear association with submaximal exercise capacity (P=.03 for both). In contrast, hemoglobin levels were not significantly associated with 6-minute walk test distance in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic heart failure, iron deficiency but not anemia was associated with impaired submaximal exercise capacity and symptomatic functional limitation.

Caracterización de la vía lenta nodular en pacientes con taquicardia por reentrada nodular: implicaciones clínicas para guiar la ablación / Characterization of the nodal slow pathway in patients with nodal reentrant tachycardia: clinical implications for guiding ablation

Introducción y objetivos La ablación de vía lenta nodular es el tratamiento de elección de la taquicardia por reentrada nodular. No hay descritas variables demográficas, anatómicas ni electrofisiológicas que predigan una localización exacta de la vía lenta dentro del nódulo auriculoventricular ni su proximidad a la vía rápida. El objetivo es estudiar estas variables. Métodos Se incluyó prospectivamente a 54 pacientes (17 varones; media de edad, 55 ± 16 años) sometidos a ablación efectiva de vía lenta. Se midieron los periodos refractarios de ambas vías y su tiempo de conducción diferencial. Se calculó las distancias desde la región hisiana (correspondiente a la localización de la vía rápida) hasta el ostium del seno coronario (con lo que se obtuvo una estimación de la longitud anteroposterior del triángulo de Koch) y también hasta la zona de la vía lenta. Resultados El tiempo de conducción diferencial (139 ± 98 ms) no se correlacionó con las distancias His-seno coronario (19 ± 6 mm; p = 0,6) ni His-vía lenta (14 ± 4 mm; p = 0,4). A mayor distancia His-seno coronario, se estableció mayor distancia His-vía lenta (r = 0,652; p < 0,01) y se confirmó la correlación anatómica entre las dimensiones del triángulo y la separación entre ambas vías. En los pacientes mayores de 70 años, se observaron menor tamaño del triángulo y menor distancia entre ambas vías (p < 0,001). Conclusiones Una mayor dimensión anteroposterior del triángulo de Koch se asocia a una localización de vía lenta más alejada de la rápida, encontrándose ambas más próximas entre sí (mayor riesgo de bloqueo auriculoventricular) en los pacientes de edad avanzada (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Nodal slow pathway ablation is the treatment of choice for nodal reentrant tachycardia. No demographic, anatomic, or electrophysiologic variables have been reported to predict an exact location of the slow pathway in the atrioventricular node or its proximity to the fast pathway. The purpose of this study was to analyze these variables. Methods: The study prospectively included 54 patients (17 men; mean age, 55 [16] years) who had undergone successful slow pathway ablation. The refractory periods of both pathways and their differential conduction time were measured, and calculations were performed to obtain the distance from the His-bundle region (location of the fast pathway) to the coronary sinus ostium (to estimate the anteroposterior length of the triangle of Koch) and to the slow pathway area. Results: The differential conduction time (139 [98] ms) did not correlate with the His-coronary sinus distance (19 [6] mm; P = .6) or the His-slow pathway distance (14 [4] mm; P = .4). When the Hiscoronary sinus distance was larger, the His-slow pathway distance was also larger (r = 0.652; P < .01) and the anatomic correlation between the triangle dimensions and the separation between the two pathways was confirmed. In patients older than 70 years, smaller triangle sizes and a shorter distance between both pathways were observed (P < .001). Conclusions: A greater anteroposterior dimension of the triangle of Koch is associated with a slow pathway location farther from the fast pathway. In elderly patients the two pathways are closer together (higher risk of atrioventricular block) (AU)

Characterization of the nodal slow pathway in patients with nodal reentrant tachycardia: clinical implications for guiding ablation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Nodal slow pathway ablation is the treatment of choice for nodal reentrant tachycardia. No demographic, anatomic, or electrophysiologic variables have been reported to predict an exact location of the slow pathway in the atrioventricular node or its proximity to the fast pathway. The purpose of this study was to analyze these variables. METHODS: The study prospectively included 54 patients (17 men; mean age, 55 [16] years) who had undergone successful slow pathway ablation. The refractory periods of both pathways and their differential conduction time were measured, and calculations were performed to obtain the distance from the His-bundle region (location of the fast pathway) to the coronary sinus ostium (to estimate the anteroposterior length of the triangle of Koch) and to the slow pathway area. RESULTS: The differential conduction time (139 [98] ms) did not correlate with the His-coronary sinus distance (19 [6] mm; P=.6) or the His-slow pathway distance (14 [4] mm; P=.4). When the His-coronary sinus distance was larger, the His-slow pathway distance was also larger (r=0.652; P<.01) and the anatomic correlation between the triangle dimensions and the separation between the two pathways was confirmed. In patients older than 70 years, smaller triangle sizes and a shorter distance between both pathways were observed (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: A greater anteroposterior dimension of the triangle of Koch is associated with a slow-pathway location farther from the fast pathway. In elderly patients the two pathways are closer together (higher risk of atrioventricular block).

Differences in neurohormonal activity partially explain the obesity paradox in patients with heart failure: The role of sympathetic activation.

BACKGROUND: Obese patients with chronic Heart Failure (HF) have better outcome than their lean counterparts, although little is known about the pathophysiology of this obesity paradox. Our aim was to evaluate the hypothesis that patients with chronic HF and obesity (defined as body mass index (BMI)≥30kg/m(2)), may have an attenuated neurohormonal activation in comparison with non-obese patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study is the post-hoc analysis of a cohort of 742 chronic HF patients from a single-center study evaluating sympathetic activation by measuring baseline levels of norepinephrine (NE). Obesity was present in 33% of patients. Higher BMI and obesity were significantly associated with lower NE levels in multivariable linear regression models adjusted for covariates (p<0.001). Addition to NE in multivariate Cox proportional hazard models attenuated the prognostic impact of BMI in terms of outcomes. Finally, when we explored the prognosis impact of raised NE levels (>70th percentile) carrying out a separate analysis in obese and non-obese patients we found that in both groups NE remained a significant independent predictor of poorer outcomes, despite the lower NE levels in patients with chronic HF and obesity: all-cause mortality hazard ratio=2.37 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-4.94) and hazard ratio=1.59 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.4) in obese and non-obese respectively; and cardiovascular mortality hazard ratio=3.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-9.01) in obese patients and hazard ratio=2.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.42-3.05) in non-obese patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic HF and obesity have significantly lower sympathetic activation. This finding may partially explain the obesity paradox described in chronic HF patients.

Iron deficiency is a key determinant of health-related quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure regardless of anaemia status.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of iron deficiency (ID) and/or anaemia on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We undertook a post-hoc analysis of a cohort of CHF patients in a single-centre study evaluating cognitive function. At recruitment, patients provided baseline information and completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) for HRQoL (higher scores reflect worse HRQoL). At the same time, blood samples were taken for serological evaluation. ID was defined as serum ferritin levels <100 ng/mL or serum ferritin <800 ng/mL with transferrin saturation <20%. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin ≤12 g/dL. A total of 552 CHF patients were eligible for inclusion, with an average age of 72 years and 40% in NYHA class III or IV. The MLHFQ overall summary scores were 41.0 ± 24.7 among those with ID, vs. 34.4 ± 26.4 for non-ID patients (P = 0.003), indicating worse HRQoL. When adjusted for other factors associated with HRQoL, ID was significantly associated with worse MLHFQ overall summary (P = 0.008) and physical dimension scores (P = 0.002), whereas anaemia was not (both P > 0.05). Increased levels of soluble transferrin receptor were also associated with impaired HRQoL (P ≤ 0.001). Adjusting for haemoglobin and C-reactive protein, ID was more pronounced in patients with anaemia compared with those without (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with CHF, ID but not anaemia was associated with reduced HRQoL, mostly due to physical factors.